L-Asparaginase Toxicity in the Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Asparaginase is a basic component of chemotherapy in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and has played a crucial role in improving the long-term survival of this disease. The objectives of this retrospective study were to elucidate the toxicity profile associated with asparaginase in children and adolescents with ALL, to analyze the impact of each type of toxicity on long-term outcomes, and to identify risk factors. We analyzed the medical charts of 165 patients diagnosed with ALL at Sf. Maria Iasi Children’s Hospital from 2010 to 2019 and treated according to a chemotherapeutic protocol containing asparaginase. The median duration of follow-up was 5 years (0.1–11.5 years). Groups of patients with specific types of toxicity were compared to groups of patients without toxicity. We found the following incidence of asparaginase-associated toxicity: 24.1% clinical hypersensitivity, 19.4% hepatotoxicity, 6.7% hypertriglyceridemia, 4.2% hyperglycemia, 3.7% osteonecrosis, 3% pancreatitis, 2.4% thrombosis, and 1.2% cerebral thrombosis. Overall, 82 patients (49.7%) had at least one type of toxicity related to asparaginase. No type of toxicity had a significant impact on overall survival or event-free survival. Being older than 14 years was associated with a higher risk of osteonecrosis (p = 0.015) and hypertriglyceridemia (p = 0.043) and a lower risk of clinical hypersensitivity (p = 0.04). Asparaginase-related toxicity is common and has a varied profile, and its early detection is important for realizing efficient and appropriate management.